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19.2.15

Where I work

How do you create? Where do you create? I am all over the house...all over the map. My brain goes in a million different directions yet I can't seem to focus on one thing. I go in phases of creating non stop...chasing the high then I stop. After the high comes the low where I am unmotivated and uninspired. Some people call it winter blue...I call it my dormant phase. For the last few weeks, I have been cleaning out our guest room and slowly turning it into my work room. We get guests like once a year and I felt like it was a waste of space to have a guest room while I find myself all over the house trying to find a place to work. I sew on my computer table. I reupholster in my dinning room. I paint in my kitchen. So now at least I will have my own "little space."

This room is probably the smallest room in our house. As much as I would love to decorate it and makes it pretty, I want it to be functional. I need it to be a place where I can create and be inspired. I am not the most organized person. So it only makes sense that my work room would be a bit of a chaos perfection.

Nothing fancy. Simple necessities. I painted one wall with chalkboard paint to jot down ideas for whatever project I am working on. Right now it is this ornate wing chair project.

I want the room to feel like a bit like a flower shop. Flowers inspire me. They make me happy. I printed out old botanical drawings and simply taped them to the wall. I am sure this wall will be constantly changing with new inspirations.

I got this gorgeous work table with a metal surface at my favorite vintage shop called The Trading Post. I just love the original patina. I spent many hours looking through pinterest for inspirations for the work room. I saw loads of beautifully decorated and neatly organized work rooms but what attracted me the most were rooms with characters.

I also got this vintage bookcase with the glass door at the Trading Post. I am loving this dark wood look...to paint or not to paint...that is always the question.

The girls helped me move things around. By that I mean they wanted me to take pictures of them.

This picture of Aurora really crack me up because this is the phase we are going through right now. You know "the face" phase. Of course Lily is the perfect model.

There is nothing fancy about where I work. It is however a place for me to enter and be surrounded by tools that allow me to do what I love to do...create. I like the idea of giving new life to cast away pieces. I like to re imagine and transform them into something beautiful and well loved. Here is a project I am working on right now and this is how she started out.

Here she is half way through.

I am going to gold leaf the entire chair to really bring out the gold. The final fabric is going to be the most beautiful dark plum velvet. Hopefully I can show you the final product soon. We are taking it slow this week. Our B moved to sunny California for an amazing job opportunity and of course we are missing him tremendously. Everything simply reminds me of him.

47 comments:

It's so beautiful, Victoria. I love your painted black board wall. We have a giant green chalkboard, but it's covered with my daughter's ideas. I'd like to carve out a space for me someday, somewhere in the shed. I'm getting closer. I've been restoring two old front windows; actually, i was glad my spouse took over; the glass specialist was able to install the tempered in the other day and putty.

LOVE your blog! I chalked painted my frig after viewing your blog and it now matches my kitchen cabinets. Thanks for the inspiration! I get so excited when you post something new! You are very talented and your adorable girls should be models.

I love how your new work room is set up for your creative juices to freely flow! The chalkboard wall is a brilliant idea for any work space, and of course you found a fabulous work table.Your darling girls are natural models!Mary Alice

I love your new space Victoria. I think you may find less dormant stages with a studio to create in. I have four children, grown now and in college, but I had to wail a long time for my art studio...20 yrs! I still go through the phases of painting all through the night for weeks because it's just flowing out if mr and then nothing. But I believe all artists are like that. I just rest during the nothing phase and wait till the flow comes again. I LOVE having a studio...so everything can be organized and remain I one place. I know you will LOVE it too. Your table is amazing and a girl can never have too many floral prints to inspire. I can see your new bookcase painted in a chalk French grey with a bit of distressing. The lighter color will make your studio space feel bigger too. I am so excited for you!!!

Thank you, Kerrie. My problem has always been my brain. It doesn't stop and I feel antsy when I am not doing projects. I am hoping this space will allow me to explore more mediums. I will probably paint the cabinet Paris Grey with either Louis Blue or Duck Egg inside...it will be distressed and aged of course.

I love the feel of your new work space, that it is not so neat and perfect. Great idea to have a chalkboard painted wall and the images of the flowers just softens the room. Your chair transformation is looking good! Have a great day, Victoria.Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

Hi Victoria,I love your creative space. What a beautiful work table. I bet you will paint that wonderful cabinet and make it shine!! Your girls are so adorable and so photogenic. Have a wonderful week end. That chair is going to be soooooo beautiful.Kris

Victoria,Lucky you having a dedicated art room. Great table! Me ... As an artist I move throughout the house but confine my painting to the kitchen or basement. Victoria what works for me to stay focused and creative is meditation. I meditate twice daily and it helps to refocus and redirect. Always fun seeing photos of your sweet girls. Plum velvet??? YUM!xoxo,Vera

I need to meditate, Vera. My parents have been meditating their whole lives and always encouraging me to try. I realized doing hot yoga is as close to a meditation I have tried. I can't wait for you to see the velvet. It is possibly the most gorgeous hue and texture I have ever felt. It costed an arm and a leg but totally worth it.

I love your new workroom, as well as the chair you are working on! I was wondering, where did you get the overlays that you added to the chair--the flowers, etc They do a magnificent job of changing that chair from mid-century to antique french. I'd like to try doing the same thing.

Hello Victoria.....you have a great work space to conjure up and create the beautiful things that you do. Your girls are just so breathtaking....keep their pictures coming. I love seeing their little, doll faces!JP

Oh your work space is perfect! Yes you should have it be your own create space instead of a guest room. I love how you did both a large chalkboard and the botanicals on one wall. Love the look and the feeling of the room. The chair will be lovely, of course and am looking forward to it.

I've been catching up reading the posts I've missed. Your work table & room are gorgeous. It really helps to have a place of your own, where you can leave things unfinished and then return to them once again refreshed & ready to work. Enjoy!xoxo,Lin